The Board denied service connection for lumbar strain, degenerative disc disease of the thoracic spine with large endplate osteophytes and slight anterior wedging at T12, and degenerative lower lumbar facet arthritis but remanded claims for an acquired psychological disorder to include PTSD, anxiety, and depression, as well as a right arm fracture.
The deciding factor: The evidence of record did not persuasively weigh in favor of finding that the Veteran's back disorders began during active service or were otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease. The Board found the April 2014 addendum VA medical opinion persuasive, which determined that post-service medical records did not corroborate continuous back pain since service and attributed his current condition to intervening events.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Anxiety, Depression, Lumbar strain, Degenerative disc disease of the thoracic spine with large endplate osteophytes and slight anterior wedging at T12, Degenerative lower lumbar facet arthritis, Residuals of a right arm fracture
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 15, 2024
- Citation
- A24065989
What this means for you
A partial grant means some issues were granted while others were denied or remanded — common in multi-issue claims. Look at which issues went which way, and how each was argued.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for PTSD, resolving reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor and finding that his PTSD is related to an in-service military sexual trauma (MST) during a period of ACDUTRA.
- Partly granted
The Board granted an effective date of May 17, 2019, for a 70 percent disability rating for PTSD but denied earlier effective dates for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.
- Partly granted
The Board granted readjudication of previously denied claims for service connection for PTSD and COPD, while remanding other issues including entitlement to service connection for an eye disorder, hypertension, tinnitus, a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, TDIU, and an initial rating for PTSD.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for multiple myeloma, back disability (secondary to multiple myeloma), and depression, with an effective date of January 26, 2021. The decision also remanded claims related to breast cancer, DEA benefits, and initial ratings.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.